HUDSON COUNTY -- A county vehicle for dealing with weapons of mass destruction, purchased two years ago for $850,000, was destroyed after being moved from high ground at the County Plaza building to the future home of the Office of Emergency Management in Kearny prior to Hurricane Sandy.

The Hudson County freeholders were informed this week that the vehicle was moved to Building 77 in order to allow election workers to access voting machines ahead of the Nov. 6 elections.

The report to the county said although the site was safe for storm surges up to 10 feet, Sandy cast waves over the wall and into the building, destroying the vehicle.

Officials said that some of the equipment aboard the vehicle may be salvaged, but the vehicle itself was corroded beyond repair.

“It should never have been moved there,” said Freeholder Anthony Romano.

Freeholder Bill O’Dea said county workers realized the vehicle was in danger and made an effort to reach it, but could not reach the site because of rising water.